Feeder

ABSTRACT

A non-splicing feeder including: multiple sprockets in a conveyance direction that accurately supply components stored in carrier tape to a supply position; a main body; a first sprocket on which first engaging protrusions are formed which is rotatably provided at supply position of main body; a second sprocket on which second engaging protrusions are formed which is rotatably provided on main body at a position on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of carrier tape with respect to first sprocket; wherein a tooth thickness dimension of second engaging protrusion is set to be smaller than a tooth thickness dimension of first engaging protrusion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to a feeder for supplying carrier tapein which components are stored.

BACKGROUND ART

As disclosed in PTL 1, non-splicing feeders which supply componentsstored in carrier tape to a component mounter without the need toperform splicing work have been proposed. With these kinds of feeders, asprocket which engages with engaging holes formed in the carrier tape isprovided, and the carrier tape is indexed by rotating this sprocket.With the non-splicing feeder disclosed in PTL 1, a drive sprocket isprovided near the supply position, and a pushing sprocket is providedadjacently to the drive sprocket at the upstream side in the conveyancedirection.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: JP-A-2011-77096

SUMMARY Problem to be Solved

In the non-splicing feeder disclosed in patent literature 1, twosprockets are provided adjacent in the conveyance direction, a drivesprocket and a pushing sprocket. The pitch between engagement holesformed in carrier tape is not necessarily at a uniform interval.Therefore, in a case in which the distance between the engaging holeswhich engage with the two sprockets adjacent in the conveyance directionis shorter than a specified distance, there is a problem in that thecarrier tape is pulled by the pushing sprocket, thus there are cases inwhich components stored in the carrier tape are not supplied accuratelyto the supply position.

The present application takes account of the above issue, and an objectthereof is to provide a non-splicing feeder provided with multiplesprockets in the conveyance direction that accurately suppliescomponents stored in carrier tape to a supply position.

Means for Solving the Problem

To solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the disclosure, afeeder for sequentially supplying components to a supply position byindexing carrier tape in which many of the components are successivelystored in a conveyance direction and in which engaging holes which havea prescribed relationship with the components are formed at a regularinterval in the conveyance direction, the feeder comprising: a mainbody; a first sprocket that is rotatably provided at the supply positionof the main body, and on which is formed a first engaging protrusion;and a second sprocket that is rotatably provided on the main body at anupstream side in the carrier tape conveyance direction with respect tothe first sprocket, and on which is formed a second engaging protrusion;wherein a cross section area of the second engaging protrusion is set tobe smaller than a cross section area of the first engaging protrusion.

Accordingly, because the cross-sectional area of the second engagingprotrusion is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the firstengaging protrusion, clearance arises between the second engagingprotrusion and the engaging hole. Due to this, even in a case in whichthe distance between the engagement holes which engage with the firstengaging protrusion and the second engaging protrusion is shorter than aspecified distance, carrier tape an engaging hole of which is engagedwith the first engaging protrusion is not pulled by the second sprocket.Thus, components stored in the carrier tape are supplied accurately tothe supply position.

Also, even in a case in which the distance between the engagement holeswhich engage with the first engaging protrusion and the second engagingprotrusion is longer than a specified distance, carrier tape an engaginghole of which is engaged with the first engaging protrusion is notpushed to the supply position side by the second sprocket. Thus,components stored in the carrier tape are supplied accurately to thesupply position.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, wherein, in theconveyance direction, a tooth thickness dimension of the second engagingprotrusion is set to be smaller than a tooth thickness dimension of thefirst engaging protrusion, and a tooth width dimension that isperpendicular to the tooth thickness dimension of the second engagingprotrusion is set to be the same as the tooth width dimension of thefirst engaging protrusion.

Accordingly, because a tooth thickness dimension of the second engagingprotrusion is set to be smaller than a tooth thickness dimension of thefirst engaging protrusion, clearance reliably arises between the secondengaging protrusion and the engaging hole. Therefore, carrier tapeengaged by the engagement of the first engaging protrusion and anengaging hole is reliably not pulled by the second sprocket. Also,because a tooth width dimension of the second engaging protrusion is setto be the same as a tooth width dimension of the first engagingprotrusion, the second engaging protrusion that is engaged with anengaging hole formed at the leading end of the new carrier tape does notget drawn into this engaging hole, such that the leading end of newcarrier tape is fed to the first sprocket side stably.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, wherein the firstengaging protrusion engages with an engaging hole of the carrier tapesuch that the component is positioned at the supply position. By this,positioning of the component stored in the carrier tape at the supplyposition becomes accurate.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, wherein the carriertape is configured from base tape that stores the components and covertape adhered to the top surface of the base tape, and a peelingmechanism that peels the cover tape from the base tape is providedbetween the first sprocket and the second sprocket.

By this, components are prevented from falling from the carrier tape bythe cover tape. Further, the cover tape is peeled from the carrier tapeby the peeling mechanism before the carrier tape is supplied to thesupply position, thereby enabling components to be removed from thecarrier tape. When preceding carrier tape has been fully fed by thefirst sprocket, the second engaging protrusion engages with anengagement hole formed in the leading end of new carrier tape, theleading end of the new carrier tape is pushed into the peeling mechanismby the second sprocket, and the cover tape is reliably peeled from thenew carrier tape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual view of a component mounting device from above.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a carrier tape.

FIG. 3 is an A-A sectional diagram of the carrier tape illustrated inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cutaway side view of a feeder.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway side view representing an insertion section of thefeeder.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway side view representing an insertion section of thefeeder.

FIG. 7A is a side view of the first engaging protrusion. FIG. 7B is aside view of the second engaging protrusion.

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a state with the first engaging protrusionengaged with an engagement hole.

FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a state with the second engaging protrusioninserted into the engagement hole.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a non-splicing feeder with a tapepeeling unit attached.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the tape peeling unit in detail.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the tape peeling unit.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along the B-B line of FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along the C-C line of FIG.11.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which cover tape is foldedover by the tape peeling unit.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(Component Mounting Device)

Hereinafter, description will be given of component mounting device 100which uses feeders 21 of the present embodiment using FIG. 1. Note that,in the description, a conveyance direction of a printed circuit board Bwill be referred to as an X-axis direction, a direction perpendicular tothe X-axis direction in a horizontal plane will be referred to as aY-axis direction, and a direction which is perpendicular to the X-axisdirection and the Y-axis direction will be referred to as a Z-axisdirection. Component mounting device 100 has board conveyance device 10,component supply section 20, component mounting device 40, and reelholding section 50.

Component supply section 20 is configured from multiple slots 20 a, andmultiple feeders 21 which are detachably mounted on each slot 20 a.Slots 20 a are provided in component supply section 20 lined up inparallel in the X-axis direction.

Reel holding section 50 holds, in an exchangeable manner, first reel 810and second reel 820 on which carrier tapes 900 are wound. First reel 810and second reel 820 are arranged adjacent to each other in the Ydirection, and multiple of the reels are arranged in the X directioncorresponding to each of the feeders 21.

Carrier tape 900 stores many components such as electronic components orthe like consecutively in the conveyance direction of carrier tape 900.As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, carrier tape 900 is formed of base tape901, cover tape 902, and bottom tape 903. Base tape 901 is formed of aflexible material such as a paper material or a resin. Storage sections901 a, which are cavities, are formed as through-holes in a centerportion of base tape 901 in the width direction at a fixed pitch P1(hereinafter referred to as component pitch P1) in the length direction.Components are stored in storage sections 901 a. Engagement holes 901 bare formed as through-holes in a side portion of the base tape 901 at afixed pitch P2 (hereafter referred to hole pitch P2) in the lengthdirection. Note that, there is a relationship between the position inwhich engagement holes 901 b are formed, and the position in whichstorage sections 901 a are formed. In the present embodiment, componentpitch P1 is four times the length of hole pitch P2.

Both side portions of cover tape 902 are adhered to both side portionsof the top surface of base tape 901 using an adhesive 902 a. Cover tape902 is formed of a transparent polymer film.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, bottom tape 903 is adhered to the bottomsurface of base tape 901. Components which are stored in storagesections 901 a are prevented from falling out by bottom tape 903. Bottomtape 903 is formed of a paper material, a polymer film or the like andis transparent or semi-transparent.

Carrier tape 900 which is wound on first reels 810 and second reels 820is inserted into each of the corresponding feeders 21. Also, carriertape 900 which is wound on one of the reels 810 is sequentially suppliedto supply position 21 a, which is provided on a tip portion of feeder21, by feeder 21. In this way, components held in carrier tape 900 aresupplied to supply position 21 a. Also, carrier tape 900 which is woundon the other reel 820 is inserted into feeder 21, but this carrier tape900 stands by without being supplied by feeder 21. Detailed descriptionof feeder 21 will be given later.

As shown in FIG. 1, inboard conveyance device 10, a pair of guide rails13 a and 13 b are provided respectively on base 41 of component mountingdevice 40. Also, a pair of conveyor belts which support and convey aprinted circuit board B which is guided by both of the guide rails 13 aand 13 b and which are omitted from the drawings are provided in boardconveyance device 10. Also, a clamp device which holds up and clamps theprinted circuit board B which is conveyed to a predetermined positionand which is omitted from the drawings is provided in board conveyancedevice 10.

In this board conveyance device 10, printed circuit board B onto whichcomponents are to be mounted is conveyed in the X-axis direction to acomponent mounting position by the conveyor belts while being guided byguide rails 13 a and 13 b. Printed circuit board B which is conveyed tothe component mounting position is positioned and clamped in thecomponent mounting position by the clamp device.

As shown in FIG. 1, component mounting device 40 includes guide rail 42,Y-axis slide 43, a Y-axis servomotor (not shown), X-axis slide 45, anX-axis servo motor (not shown), component mounting head 48, and suctionnozzle 47 (shown in FIG. 11).

A Y robot is configured from guide rail 42, Y-axis slide 43, and theY-axis servo motor. Guide rail 42 is mounted in the Y direction abovethe base 41 and is arranged to be above board conveyance device 10.Y-axis slide 43 is provided to be capable of moving in the Y-axisdirection along guide rail 42. Y-axis slide 43 is moved in the Y-axisdirection by a ball screw mechanism that has a ball screw connected toan output shaft of the Y-axis servo motor.

An X robot is formed from X-axis slide 45 and the X-axis servo motor.X-axis slide 45 is provided to be capable of moving in the X-axisdirection on Y-axis slide 43. The X-axis servo motor is provided onY-axis slide 43. X-axis slide 45 is moved in the X-axis direction by aball screw mechanism, which is not shown, connected to an output shaftof the X-axis servo motor.

Component mounting head 48 is provided on X-axis slide 45. Componentmounting head 48 holds suction nozzle 47 (shown in FIG. 11) in adetachable manner. Suction nozzle 47 picks up a component which issupplied to supply position 21 a, and mounts the component on theprinted circuit board B which is positioned in the component mountingposition by board conveyance device 10.

(Feeder)

Hereinafter, description will be given of feeder 21 of the presentembodiment using FIGS. 4 to 8. Note that, in the descriptionhereinafter, the term “conveyance direction” indicates the conveyancedirection of carrier tape 900. In FIGS. 4 to 8, the right side of thepaper surface is set to the front (the downstream side in the conveyancedirection) and the left side of the paper surface is set to the rear(the upstream side in the conveyance direction). In FIGS. 4 to 6, upwardon the paper surface is set to upward, and downward on the paper surfaceis set to downward.

Feeder 21 is formed mainly of main body 21 b, first servo motor 22,second servo motor 23, first gear 24, second gear 25, third gear 26,fourth gear 27, lifting prevention member 28, torsion spring 29, stoppermember 31, upstream side retaining member 32, downstream side retainingmember 33, first sprocket 61, second sprocket 62, third sprocket 63,fourth sprocket 64, rail 38, control section 39, and tape peeling unit70.

Feeder 21 is mounted by being inserted into slot 20 a from the front.Main body 21 b is a flat box shape. Note that, FIGS. 4 to 6 are diagramswith a side wall of main body 21 b removed to show the internalstructure of feeder 21.

Rail 38 is provided from insertion section 21 d at the rear section ofmain body 21 b to supply position 21 a at the front portion of main body21 b. The top surface of rail 38 forms the conveying path of carriertape 900. Front section 38 a of rail 38 is formed horizontally. In thepresent embodiment, rail 38 is inclined to gradually increase in heightfrom the rear section to before front section 38 a. Note that, althoughnot depicted in the drawings, guide members which are separated by adimension which is slightly greater than the width dimension of carriertape 900 are provided on both sides of rail 38.

Each of first sprocket 61 and second sprocket 62 is provided, to becapable of rotating, from the front toward the rear (from the downstreamside to the upstream side in the conveyance direction) in main body 21 bbeneath front section 38 a of rail 38, that is, in positions adjacent tothe supply position 21 a of main body 21 b. Each of third sprocket 63and fourth sprocket 64 is provided, to be capable of rotating, from thefront toward the rear in main body 21 b beneath the rear section of rail38. First engaging protrusions 61 a, second engaging protrusions 62 a,and third engaging protrusions 63 a are formed at a fixed angle on theouter circumferences of first sprocket 61, second sprocket 62, and thirdsprocket 63, respectively. Fourth engaging protrusions 64 a are formedat a fixed angle on a portion of the outer circumference of fourthsprocket 64. Each of the engaging protrusions 61 a to 64 a engages withengagement holes 901 b of carrier tape 900.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, in the conveyance direction,tooth thickness dimension b of second engaging protrusion 62 a is set tobe smaller than tooth thickness dimension a of first engaging protrusion61 a. Note that, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, toothwidth dimension c of first engaging protrusion 61 a is equal to toothwidth dimension d of second engaging protrusion 62 a. Note that, toothwidth dimensions are dimensions of engaging protrusions 61 a and 62 a ina direction perpendicular to the tooth thickness dimensions. In thisway, the cross-sectional area of second engaging protrusion 62 a is setto be smaller than the cross-sectional area of first engaging protrusion61 a.

As shown in FIG. 8A, when viewing first engaging protrusion 61 a fromabove, the four corners of first engaging protrusion 61 a contact theinner surface of engaging hole 901 b. Accordingly, components stored incarrier tape 900 are supplied by being accurately positioned at supplyposition 21 a by first engaging protrusion 61 a which is reliablyengaged with engaging hole 901 b. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 8B, whenviewing second engaging protrusion 62 a from above, there is clearancebetween second engaging protrusion 62 a and engaging hole 901 b, and thefour corners of second engaging protrusion 62 a do not contact the innersurface of engaging hole 901 b.

Note that, third engaging protrusion 63 a and fourth engaging protrusion64 a are formed in the same shape as first engaging protrusion 61 a.Therefore, when viewing third engaging protrusion 63 a and fourthengaging protrusion 64 a from above, the four corners of third engagingprotrusion 63 a and fourth engaging protrusion 64 a contact the innersurface of engaging hole 901 b.

First sprocket gear 61 b, second sprocket gear 62 b, third sprocket gear63 b, and fourth sprocket gear 64 b are formed closer to the inside thanthe outer circumference of the first sprocket 61 to the fourth sprocket64, respectively. Note that, window hole 38 b (refer to FIG. 5) isprovided above each of the sprockets 61 to 64 of rail 38. Each of theengaging protrusions 61 a to 64 a protrudes from the top of rail 38through window hole 38 b.

First servo motor 22 is a servo motor which rotates the first sprocket61 and the second sprocket 62. First drive gear 22 b is provided onrotating shaft 22 a of the first servo motor 22. First gear 24 isrotatably provided on main body 21 b beneath first sprocket 61 andsecond sprocket 62. First outside gear 24 a which meshes with firstdrive gear 22 b is formed on the outer circumference of first gear 24.First inside gear 24 b is formed closer to the inside than the outercircumference of first gear 24.

Second gear 25 is rotatably provided on main body 21 b between firstsprocket 61 and second sprocket 62, and first gear 24. Second gear 25meshes with first sprocket gear 61 b, second sprocket gear 62 b, andfirst inside gear 24 b. According to this configuration, the rotationspeed of first servomotor 22 is reduced and transmitted to firstsprocket 61 and second sprocket 62, and, first sprocket 61 and secondsprocket 62 rotate in synchronization.

Second servo motor 23 is a servo motor which rotates third sprocket 63and fourth sprocket 64. Second drive gear 23 b is provided on rotatingshaft 23 a of second servo motor 23. Third gear 26 is rotatably providedon main body 21 b beneath third sprocket 63 and fourth sprocket 64.Third outside gear 26 a which meshes with second drive gear 23 b isformed on the outer circumference of third gear 26. Third inside gear 26b is formed closer to the inside than the outer circumference of thirdgear 26.

Fourth gear 27 is rotatably provided on main body 21 b between thirdsprocket 63 and fourth sprocket 64, and third gear 26. Fourth gear 27meshes with third sprocket gear 63 b, fourth sprocket gear 64 b, andthird inside gear 26 b. According to this configuration, the rotationspeed of second servo motor 23 is reduced and transmitted to thirdsprocket 63 and fourth sprocket 64, and, third sprocket 63 and fourthsprocket 64 rotate in synchronization.

Downstream side retaining member 33 is block-shaped and is provided oninsertion section 21 d of main body 21 b above the rear section of rail38. Downstream side retaining member 33 is attached to first supportmember 30-1 and second support member 30-2, which are attached to mainbody 21 b, via shaft 34-1 so as to be capable of moving in the verticaldirection. Coil spring 35-1 which biases downstream side retainingmember 33 downward is attached to shaft 34-1. Retaining section 33 dwhich abuts rail 38 on third sprocket 63 is formed in front of thedownstream side retaining member 33. According to this configuration,retaining section 33 d moves toward and away from the rail 38. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, penetrating section 33 b is formed as a cutout onthe bottom portion of the rear end of retaining section 33 d.

Upstream side retaining member 32 is block-shaped and is provided alongthe top surface of the rear section of rail 38. Upstream side retainingmember 32 is attached beneath the rear section of downstream sideretaining member 33 via shaft 34-2 to be capable of moving in thevertical direction. Upstream side retaining member 32 is adjacent to therear of retaining section 33 d. Coil spring 35-2 which biases upstreamside retaining member 32 downward is attached to shaft 34-2. Accordingto this configuration, upstream side retaining member 32 moves towardand away from rail 38. Insertion recessed section 32 a is formed as acutout on the bottom portion of the rear end of upstream side retainingmember 32.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, stopper member 31 is block-shaped and isprovided adjacent on the downstream side of upstream side retainingmember 32. Stopper member 31 is capable of rocking due to shaft supportsection 31 b which is formed in a middle portion of stopper member 31being axially supported by downstream side retaining member 33. Abuttingsection 31 a which is formed to protrude downward is formed on thebottom portion of stopper member 31 which is closer to the front thanthe shaft support portion 31 b. The rear end of the bottom section ofstopper member 31 is stopping section 31 c.

Spring 36 which biases stopper member 31 in a direction in whichabutting section 31 a approaches rail 38 is attached to downstream sideretaining member 33. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in relation to theconveyance direction, the apex section of fourth sprocket 64 ispositioned between the front end of downstream side retaining member 33and the rear end of stopper member 31.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, lifting prevention member 28 is plate-shapedand is provided along the top of rail 38 between the third sprocket 63and the second sprocket 62. Shaft support portion 28 a is formed on thefront end of lifting prevention member 28, and shaft support portion 28a is axially supported on shaft portion 21 c which is provided in mainbody 21 b, and, lifting prevention member 28 is attached to main body 21b to be capable of rocking. Guide section 28 b which is bent upward isformed on the rear end of lifting prevention member 28. Torsion spring29 is attached to main body 21 b above lifting prevention member 28 andbiases lifting prevention member 28 downward. The bottom surface oflifting prevention member 28 comes into close contact with the topsurface of rail 38 due to torsion spring 29.

Note that, space 38 c is formed above rail 38 between second sprocket 62and third sprocket 63.

Control section 39 controls feeder 21 and controls the rotation of firstservo motor 22 and second servo motor 23. Control section 39 includes amicroprocessor and a driver which supplies the drive currents to servomotors 22 and 23.

First sensor 65 which detects the presence or absence of carrier tape900 and outputs that detection signal to control section 39 is providedin main body 21 b on the downstream side of third sprocket 63. Firstsensor 65 is a sensor which detects a boundary portion betweenconveyance tape 910 and standby tape 920 which are described later.Second sensor 66 which detects the presence or absence of carrier tape900 and outputs that detection signal to control section 39 is providedin main body 21 b on the upstream side of second sprocket 62.Description will be given of the role of second sensor 66 later.

(Tape Peeling Unit)

Next, tape peeling unit 70 of the present embodiment will be describedusing FIGS. 9 to 14. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, at the upper section ofthe front section of feeder 21, tape peeling unit 70 is detachablyprovided on main body 21 b of feeder 21. Tape peeling unit 70 is forpeeling cover tape 902 of carrier tape 900 which has been fed to supplyposition 21 a.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, tape peeling unit 70 has box-shaped unit mainbody 71 the bottom side of which is open. The front and rear of bothside walls 71 a and 71 b of unit main body 71 are fixed to both sidesurfaces of main body 21 b using a fastening means such as a screw.Carrier tape 900 is guided between both of the side walls 71 a and 71 b.As shown in FIG. 10, cutout 71 c 1 is formed in the front section ofupper wall 71 c of unit main body 71. As shown in FIG. 11, the frontsection of cutout 71 c 1 is supply position 21 a, and a component storedin storage section 901 a of carrier tape 900 is picked up and removed bysuction nozzle 47 from this cutout 71 c 1.

As shown in FIG. 11, first sprocket 61 is provided on main body 21 b atsupply position 21 a (cutout 71 c 1) at the downstream side in theconveyance direction. That is, first engaging protrusion 61 a positionedat the apex section of first sprocket 61 is positioned at the downstreamside in the conveyance direction of cutout 71 c 1 (supply position 21a).

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, plated shaped cutter member 72 is fixed toupper wall 71 c of unit main body 71 in a position above rail 38(carrier tape 900) so as to cover cutout 71 c 1. Cutting edge 72 a witha sharp tip that peels cover tape 902 of carrier tape 900 is provided atthe rear of cutter member 72.

As shown in FIG. 11, second sprocket 62 is provided at the upstream sidein the conveyance direction of cutting edge 72 a of cutter member 72.That is, second engaging protrusion 62 a positioned at the apex sectionof second sprocket 62 is positioned at the upstream side of theconveyance direction of cutting edge 72 a of cutter member 72.

Both edges of cover tape 902 are adhered to the carrier tape 900 andcutting edge 72 a of cutter member 72 is provided in a positioncorresponding to one edge (the edge at the engagement hole 901 b side)of cover tape 902. Cutting edge 72 a of cutter member 72 is interposedbetween base tape 901 and cover tape 902 as carrier tape 900 is fed soas to peel one edge of cover tape 902 while maintaining the adheredstate of the other edge of cover tape 902.

Note that, when engaging hole 901 b of carrier tape 900 is engaged withfirst engaging protrusion 61 a, carrier tape 900 is pulled by firstsprocket 61, and an edge section of cover tape 902 is peeled by cuttingedge 72 a of cutter member 72. On the other hand, when preceding carriertape 900 has been fully fed to feeder 21 and an engaging hole 901 bformed in the leading end of new carrier tape 900 is engaged only withsecond engaging protrusion 62 a, carrier tape 900 is pushed onto cuttermember 72 by second sprocket 62 and an edge section of cover tape 902 ispeeled by cutting edge 72 a of cutter member 72.

As shown in FIG. 10, plate-shaped fold-over member 73 is provided onupper wall 71 c of unit main body 71 such that a small gap is formedbetween fold-over member 73 and the top surface of carrier tape 900.Fold-over member 73 erects and folds over one of the edges of peeledcover tape 902. Inclined surface 73 a which is inclined in the widthdirection of cover tape 902 is formed on fold-over member 73 across apredetermined length along the feeding direction of carrier tape 900.Inclined surface 73 a of fold-over member 73 protrudes in the widthdirection of cover tape 902 in relation to cutter member 72.

Fold-over member 73 folds over the one of edges of cover tape 902 whichis peeled by cutting edge 72 a of cutter member 72 such that the edge ofcover tape 902 is gradually erected by inclined surface 73 a, thusopening (exposing) the top surface of storage section 901 a in which thecomponent which is supplied to the supply position 21 a is stored. Asillustrated in FIG. 14, cover tape 902 which is folded over by inclinedsurface 73 a of fold-over member 73 is forcefully inserted into the gapbetween fold-over member 73 and the top surface of carrier tape 900(base tape 901) such that the open state of the top surface of storagesection 901 a is maintained.

By adopting this configuration, as with conventional art, individualcollection mechanisms which fold over and collect cover tape 902 becomeunnecessary, and cover tape 902 becomes capable of being collectedtogether with base tape 901 of carrier tape 900. Note that, 74 in FIG. 9is a guide for collecting cover tape 902 and carrier tape 900, and isfixed to the tip portion of main body 21 b.

(Feeder Operation)

Hereinafter, description will be given of operations of feeder 21. Aworker inserts carrier tape 900 between the insertion recessed section32 a and the rear end of rail 38 which are illustrated in FIG. 4. Whenthis is done, fourth engaging protrusions 64 a engage with engagementholes 901 b which are formed in the leading end of the inserted carriertape 900, and the carrier tape 900 is conveyed to third sprocket 63 byfourth sprocket 64. Since fourth engaging protrusions 64 a are onlyformed in a portion of the outer circumference of fourth sprocket 64,when fourth engaging protrusions 64 a engage with engagement holes 901 bwhich are formed in the leading end of the inserted carrier tape 900,carrier tape 900 moves to the third sprocket 63 side intermittently.Therefore, since carrier tape 900 is not suddenly pulled to the thirdsprocket 63 side, this is safe.

The leading end of carrier tape 900 which is supplied to the downstreamside by fourth sprocket 64 enters below retaining section 33 d frompenetrating section 33 b. When engagement holes 901 b which are formedin the leading portion of carrier tape 900 are engaged with thirdengaging protrusions 63 a, carrier tape 900 is conveyed to secondsprocket 62 by third sprocket 63. Since third engaging protrusions 63 aare formed along the entire circumference of the outer circumference ofthird sprocket 63, carrier tape 900 is conveyed to second sprocket 62side in a short time. Note that, conveyance tape 910 is pushed fromabove by retaining section 33 d and the engagement between theengagement holes 901 b and third engaging protrusions 36 a is notreleased.

The leading end of carrier tape 900 enters beneath lifting preventionmember 28 from between guide section 28 b and rail 38. The leading endof carrier tape 900 is suppressed from lifting up from rail 38 bylifting prevention member 28 and is conveyed to second sprocket 62.

When second sensor 66 detects the leading end of carrier tape 900 whichis conveyed thereto by third sprocket 63, first servomotor 22 and secondservo motor 23 intermittently rotate sprockets 61 to 64 by componentpitch P1 (illustrated in FIG. 2). When engagement holes 901 b which areformed on the leading end section of carrier tape 900 engage with secondengaging protrusions 62 a, carrier tape 900 is fed to tape peeling unit70 by second sprocket 62 and cover tape 902 is peeled from carrier tape900 by tape peeling unit 70. When engagement holes 901 b which areformed on the leading end section of carrier tape 900 engage with firstengaging protrusions 61 a, components which are stored in carrier tape900 are sequentially positioned in supply position 21 a so as to besupplied by first sprocket 61.

While conveyance tape 910 which is carrier tape 900 being conveyed isbeing conveyed by the feeder 21, as illustrated in FIG. 5, conveyancetape 910 presses abutting section 31 a, stopper member 31 c rocks in adirection acting against the biasing force of spring 36 such thatstopping section 31 c approaches rail 38, thus the rear-bottom end ofstopper member 31 contacts the top surface of conveyance tape 910.

The worker inserts standby tape 920, which is the carrier tape 900 thatstands by, between insertion recessed section 32 a and conveyance tape910. When this is done, since the rear-bottom end of stopper member 31contacts the top surface of conveyance tape 910, the tip of standby tape920 abuts stopping section 31 c of stopper member 31, conveyance to thedownstream of standby tape 920 is prevented, and standby tape 920 standsby above conveyance tape 910.

Standby tape 920 is pushed into conveyance tape 910 by upstream sideretaining member 32. Therefore, lifting of the tip of standby tape 920from conveyance tape 910 is prevented, and the entering of the tip ofstandby tape 920 between the front end of upstream side retaining member32 and the rear end of stopper member 31 is prevented.

Note that, conveyance tape 910 is wound on reel 810 which is on thefront side. Standby tape 920 is wound on reel 820 which is on the rearside.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the tail end of conveyance tape 910 is conveyedcloser to the downstream side than the leading end of standby tape 920,standby tape 920 assumes a state of being on rail 38, and engagementholes 901 b which are formed in the leading section of standby tape 920are engaged with fourth engaging protrusions 64 a. The leading end ofcarrier tape 900 which is supplied by fourth sprocket 64 enters belowretaining section 33 d from penetrating section 33 b. When engagementholes 901 b which are formed in the leading section of carrier tape 900are engaged with third engaging protrusions 63 a, carrier tape 900 isconveyed to second sprocket 62 by third sprocket 63 and is conveyed tosupply position 21 a as described above.

When the leading end of carrier tape 900 which was standby tape 920presses the abutting portion 31 a, stopper member 31 rocks in adirection against the biasing force of spring 36, such that stoppingportion 31 c approaches the top surface of rail 38, and the rear-bottomend of stopper member 31 comes into contact with the new conveyance tape910 (the old standby tape 920).

The worker removes the used reel 810 for which all of the conveyancetape 910 has been supplied from reel holding section 50 and causes thereel holding section 50 to hold the reel 820 on which new standby tape920 is wound. The worker sets the new standby tape 920 by inserting theleading end of the new standby tape 920 between insertion recessedportion 32 a and conveyance tape 910. As described above, since therear-bottom end of stopper member 31 contacts the new conveyance tape910, the tip of the new standby tape 920 abuts stopping portion 31 c ofstopper member 31, conveyance to the downstream of the standby tape 920is prevented, and standby tape 920 stands by above conveyance tape 910.

Advantageous Effects of the Embodiment

According to the above description, as shown in FIG. 8, thecross-sectional area of second engaging protrusion 62 a is smaller thanthe cross-sectional area of first engaging protrusion 61 a. Accordingly,although the four corners of first engaging protrusion 61 a contactengaging hole 901 b, as shown in FIG. 8A, there is clearance between thesecond engaging protrusion 62 a and engaging hole 901 b, as shown inFIG. 8B. In other words, when a first engaging protrusion 61 a engagedwith engaging hole 901 b is positioned at a position at which acomponent is positioned at supply position 21 a, second engagingprotrusion 62 a does not contact engaging hole 901 b. Due to this, evenin a case in which the distance between engagement holes 901 b whichengage with first engaging protrusion 61 a and second engagingprotrusion 62 a is shorter than a specified distance, carrier tape 900for which first engaging protrusion 61 a is engaged with engaging hole901 b is not pulled by second sprocket 62 (second engaging protrusion 62a). Thus, components stored in carrier tape 900 are supplied accuratelyto supply position 21 a.

Also, even in a case in which the distance between engagement holes 901b which engage with first engaging protrusion 61 a and second engagingprotrusion 62 a is longer than a specified distance, carrier tape 900for which first engaging protrusion 61 a is engaged with engaging hole901 b is not pushed to the supply position 21 a side by second sprocket62 (second engaging protrusion 62 a). Thus, components stored in carriertape 900 are supplied accurately to supply position 21 a.

Also, because carrier tape 900 is not pulled by second sprocket 62, therotation of first sprocket 61 and second sprocket 62 is not obstructedand no load is applied to first servo motor 22. Thus, even if a firstservo motor 22 with a large output is not used, components stored incarrier tape 900 are supplied accurately to supply position 21 a.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, because the tooth thickness dimension bof second engaging protrusion 62 a is set to be smaller than the tooththickness dimension a of first engaging protrusion 61 a, as shown inFIG. 8B, clearance reliably arises between second engaging protrusion 62a and engaging hole 901 b. Therefore, carrier tape 900 is engaged by theengagement of first engaging protrusion 61 a and engaging hole 901 b isreliably not pulled by the second sprocket 62. Also, as shown in FIG. 8,because the tooth width dimension d of second engaging protrusion 62 ais set to be the same as a tooth width dimension c of first engagingprotrusion 61 a, second engaging protrusion 62 a that is engaged with anengaging hole 901 b formed at the leading end of the new carrier tape900 does not get drawn into this engaging hole 901 b, such that theleading end of new carrier tape 900 is fed to the first sprocket 61 sidestably.

Also, first engaging protrusion 61 a engages with engaging hole 901 b ofcarrier tape 900 such that a component is positioned at supply position21 a. By this, positioning of the component stored in carrier tape 900at supply position 21 a becomes accurate.

Also, carrier tape 900 is configured from base tape 901 that storescomponents, and cover tape 902 adhering to the top surface of base tape901. By this, components are prevented from falling from carrier tape900 by cover tape 902.

Also, tape peeling unit 70 (peeling mechanism) that peels cover tape 902from base tape 901 is provided between first sprocket 61 and secondsprocket 62. Further, cover tape 902 is peeled from carrier tape 900 bytape peeling unit 70 before carrier tape 900 is supplied to supplyposition 21 a, thereby enabling components to be removed from carriertape 900. When preceding carrier tape 900 has been fully fed by firstsprocket 61, second engaging protrusion 62 a engages with engagementhole 901 b formed in the leading end of new carrier tape 900, and theleading end of new carrier tape 900 is pushed into cutter member 72 oftape peeling unit 70 by second sprocket 62. Accordingly, cover tape 902is reliably peeled from new carrier tape 900.

Another Embodiment

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, by setting the tooththickness dimension b of second engaging protrusion 62 a to be smallerthan the tooth thickness dimension a of first engaging protrusion 61 a,the cross-sectional area of second engaging protrusion 62 a is set to besmaller than the cross-sectional area of first engaging protrusion 61 a.However, there is no hindrance to implementing a different embodiment inwhich the cross-sectional area of second engaging protrusion 62 a is setto be smaller than the cross-sectional area of first engaging protrusion61 a by setting the tooth thickness dimension d of second engagingprotrusion 62 a to be smaller than the tooth thickness dimension c offirst engaging protrusion 61 a. With this embodiment too, clearancearises between second engaging protrusion 62 a and engaging hole 901 b,and even in a case in which the distance between engagement holes 901 bwhich engage with first engaging protrusion 61 a and second engagingprotrusion 62 a is shorter than a specified distance, carrier tape 900for which the first engaging protrusion is engaged with the engaginghole is not pulled by second sprocket 62 (second engaging protrusion 62a). Thus, components stored in carrier tape 900 are supplied accuratelyto supply position 21 a.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

21: feeder; 21 a: supply position; 21 b: main body; 61: first sprocket;61 a: first engaging protrusion; 62: second sprocket; 62 a: secondengaging protrusion; 70: tape peeling unit (peeling mechanism); 900:carrier tape; 901: base tape; 901 b: engaging hole; 902: cover tape

The invention claimed is:
 1. A feeder for sequentially supplyingcomponents to a supply position by indexing carrier tape in which manyof the components are successively stored in a carrier tape conveyancedirection and in which engaging holes which have a prescribedrelationship with the components are formed at a regular interval in theconveyance direction, the feeder comprising: a main body; a firstsprocket that is rotatably provided at the supply position of the mainbody, and on which is formed a first engaging protrusion; a secondsprocket that is rotatably provided on the main body at an upstream sidein the carrier tape conveyance direction with respect to the firstsprocket, and on which is formed a second engaging protrusion, thesecond engaging protrusion being symmetrical when viewed in a toothwidth direction; a third sprocket upstream of the first sprocket and thesecond sprocket, the third sprocket including third engagingprotrusions; a fourth sprocket upstream of the third sprocket, thefourth sprocket including fourth engaging protrusions; and a motoroperatively connected to rotate the first sprocket and the secondsprocket, wherein a cross-sectional area of the second engagingprotrusion is set to be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the firstengaging protrusion, wherein the first engaging protrusion has arectangular cross-section and is configured so that the four corners ofthe first engaging protrusion are configured to simultaneously contactan inner surface of the engaging holes, and wherein the second engagingprotrusion has a rectangular cross-section and is dimensioned so that atleast two corners of the second engaging protrusion do not contact theinner surface of the engaging holes, wherein the first sprocket and thesecond sprocket have the same diameter, and a number of the firstengaging protrusions and a number of the second engaging protrusions arethe same wherein the third sprocket and the fourth sprocket have thesame diameter as the first sprocket and the second sprocket, wherein anumber of the third engaging protrusions is the same as the number ofthe first engaging protrusions, and wherein a number of the fourthengaging protrusions is less than the number of the first engagingprotrusions.
 2. The feeder according to claim 1, wherein, in theconveyance direction, a tooth thickness dimension of the second engagingprotrusion is set to be smaller than a tooth thickness dimension of thefirst engaging protrusion, and a tooth width dimension that isperpendicular to the tooth thickness dimension of the second engagingprotrusion is set to be the same as the tooth width dimension of thefirst engaging protrusion.
 3. The feeder according to claim 1, whereinthe first engaging protrusion engages with the engaging hole of thecarrier tape such that the component is positioned at the supplyposition.
 4. The feeder according to claim 1, wherein the carrier tapeis configured from base tape that stores the components and cover tapeadhered to the top surface of the base tape, and a peeling mechanismthat peels the cover tape from the base tape is provided between thefirst sprocket and the second sprocket.
 5. The feeder according to claim4, wherein the peeling mechanism includes a cutter member including acutting edge and the second sprocket is upstream in the carrier tapeconveyance direction from the cutting edge.
 6. The feeder according toclaim 1, wherein a tooth thickness dimension of the second engagingprotrusion in the conveyance direction is smaller than a tooth thicknessdimension of the first engaging protrusion, and wherein a tooth widthdimension of the second engaging protrusion in a direction perpendicularto the conveyance direction is equal to a tooth width dimension of thefirst engaging protrusion.
 7. The feeder according to claim 1, whereinthe engaging holes are circular.
 8. The feeder according to claim 1,wherein the first sprocket and the second sprocket are rotated insynchronization by the motor.
 9. The feeder according to claim 1,wherein the motor is operatively connected to a gear engaging both thefirst sprocket and the second sprocket.